farm tours hawaii big island

The 11 Best Big Island Farm Tours You Won’t Want to Miss

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If you’re headed to the Big Island, there’s more to see than beaches and volcanoes. While those are beautiful, take yourself off the beaten path and explore the Big Island farm tours.

From famed Kona coffee to vanilla beans to gourmet honey, try something new on your trip to the Big Island!

And watch a video of a few of our different Big Island farm experiences: 

Animal Farm Tours

Ocean rider seahorse farm tour.

Location: Kailua–Kona

Tour length: 90 minutes

Book online

Nearby the airport is the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm. Here, they focus on providing home and public aquariums with eco-friendly, hand-raised, domesticated seahorse pairs to help alleviate overfishing of the wild population.

The farm is family run and they breed over 25 different species of seahorses. On this very informative tour, they focus on teaching you about seahorses and their ecosystem.

While the hands-on portion of the tour is limited, at the end of the tour you’re able to have a seahorse swim over to you and latch onto your finger, which is a pretty amazing moment. While this is a great tour, very small children may not enjoy listening during the purely informative portion of the tour (which is approximately 1 hour).

Honomu Goat Farm

Location: Honomu (approximately 20 minutes north of Hilo)

This charming goat farm near Akaka Falls is well worth a stop, especially if you have kids! This isn’t a farm tour that you need to book in advance. Reservations are not required and there is no fee to play with the sweet goats! There is food for purchase to feed the goats and caramels and cheese available for purchase for you. 

During bad weather, they do close the baby goat play yard, but you can call ahead to make sure they’re open for a visit!

Big Island Bees

Location: Captain Cook

Tour length: 1 hour

If you love honey, Big Island Bees is a fascinating and delicious stop in Kona coffee country. Put this Big Island farm tour on your itinerary.

The 1-hour tour starts with a short movie that gives you an overview of production, from flower to jar. From there, your beekeeper guide will lead you to the bee hives to teach you everything you didn’t know you wanted to know about bees and honey. Our tour guide Joe was not only extremely knowledgeable but fun to listen to. He explained how bees produce different-tasting honey, showed us how to find the queen bee, and kept us all entertained.

To close out the tour, you’ll taste six different types of honey. When tasting them back to back you can absolutely tell the difference in flavors and we were able to each clearly find our favorite.

They also have a charming store with gift-worthy gourmet honey and honey products that you can stock up on for yourself or take back home to give to friends.

This tour is fun for all ages. We took our four-year-old as well as the grandparents, and everyone had a fantastic time.

Big Island Abalone

Location: Kailua-Kona (Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park)

Tour Length: 45-minutes

Located near Kona International Airport, tour an aquafarm to learn how they sustainably raise and harvest abalone. Kona Abalone comes from the Japanese Ezo Abalone strain, known as the most precious species in Japan. This tour is part Japanese heritage, part abalone history, and fine dining as you get to harvest and eat grilled abalone.

If you can’t make it for the farm tour, they have a food truck out front where they serve grilled abalone (of course). They also offer a 2.5 hour abalone BBQ experience. This is ideal for seafood lovers as they BBQ lobster, abalone, shrimp, and other fresh seafood from the Big Island.

We have three farm tours located in the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park. The park is unique in that the state pumps up deep sea water (around 2,200 feet) just offshore the coast. The mineral-rich, cold water is used for research, farming, and energy production.

Produce Farm Tours

The vanillerie.

Location: Kailua-Kona

If you are a food enthusiast, a trip to the Vanillerie vanilla farm is well worth a stop. Take a walk through the different greenhouses full of vanilla orchid to learn how vanilla is grown and all of the work that goes into growing just one vanilla bean. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their farm and producing high-quality vanilla.

This Big Island farm tour is popular with those who have a late afternoon or evening flight. You can spend an informative hour or more at The Vanillerie with the airport across the highway.

At the end of the tour, you get to enjoy a serving of vanilla ice cream (delicious!) and visit their gift shop where they sell a number of different things, including a vanilla extraction kit. Even if you can’t make a tour, a trip to their gift shop before your flight is worth the stop.

Big Island Farms

Location: Honokaa

Taste fresh fruit and learn about regenerative design concepts on this privately guided farm tour. Big Island Farms is a 64-acre farm just 5 miles from Honokaa and is home to over 200 species of edible and medicinal plants (including macadamia nuts!). 

During your tour, you’ll be able to walk the farm with your guide, sample fresh fruit directly off the trees, and ask any questions that you have about farming practices and growing produce in Hawaii. You may even pick up some tips to take back to your home garden.

This private tour is great for all ages, so bring your kids and enjoy! 

Honokaa Chocolate Tour

Tour length: 2 hours

Visit this chocolate farm and learn about the process of going from bean to bar. Hawaii is the only state in the US where cacao trees can be grown fruitfully, so this is a must-see for a chocolate enthusiast.

See a cacao tree and pods up close and taste a variety of different forms of chocolate: cacao bean, chocolate nibs, cacao tea, and different varieties of the finished processed product. You’ll learn a lot on this tour about the history of chocolate in Hawaii and how good quality chocolate is farmed and made.

The tour runs for a total of two hours, with 45 minutes spent on a thorough chocolate tasting. This isn’t a tour for children and is catered to guests ages 10 and over.

Kona Sea Salt

Duration: 45-minutes

We really enjoyed this tour! The history of the company, the amazing location on the beach, learning how they made salt, the significance of Hawaiian salt, and of course the salt tasting!

Let the tour guide show you around the former research lab turned salt farm as you learn more than you thought possible about salt. The salt comes from deep ocean water harvested just offshore making the salt rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and many others.

Make sure to check out their gift shop as Kona Sea Salt makes for a perfect souvenir.

The tour made our What to Do in Hawaii When it Rains list as they provide umbrellas for the parts of the tour that our outside.

Hawaiian Vanilla Company

Location: Paauilo

Tour length: 1-2 hours

The Hawaiian Vanilla Company was the first commercial vanilla grower in the United States and was founded in 1998. Family owned and operated, they know their stuff and are very enthusiastic about sharing that knowledge with all their guests!

We had a blast on their farm tour only (1-hour tour) and loved their interactive presentation. They also have a luncheon tour (2-hour experience) which is a great option for lunch while you’re exploring the Hamakua Coast. The meal consists of a variety of dishes prepared with their vanilla, and it does not disappoint.

Beverage Farm Tours

Monarch coffee.

Location: Holualoa

Tour length: 1 – 2 hours

If you’re visiting the island of Hawaii, a trip to a coffee farm is likely on your list. The world-renowned Kona coffee country produces some of the best coffee in the world. There are plenty of coffee farms to visit, but our trip to Monarch Coffee stood out. 

This boutique coffee farm offers two different ways to experience and learn about the coffee growing process. The first is a walking estate tour followed by a coffee tasting experience. We enjoyed a full tour of the farm while we followed the process from bean to cup, getting beautiful views of the Pacific as we explored the farm. For coffee enthusiasts who want an even deeper experience, they offer a private roasting experience in addition to the walking tour and tasting. 

While there are plenty of free tours that we love, this paid tour on the family farm is in-depth and well worth the price.

Check out a list of all of our favorite coffee farm tours on the Big Island .

Mauna Kea Tea

The Big Island isn’t a place just for coffee enthusiasts. If you’re a tea drinker, you’ll find a tour suited to your taste. Join a tour at Mauna Kea Tea and learn how it is grown and harvested, and then how the tea leaves are turned into refined tea. 

Enjoy a privately guided tour through the beautiful landscape and then finish your tour with a premium tea ceremony. During the ceremony, they’ll help guide you through new ways to appreciate and experience tea. And when you book your tour, you can include notes about your current level of tea experience, so the tour guide is able to tailor the experience to meet you where you are. 

Next check out The Best Big Island Snorkeling Tours .

If you’re looking for even more things to do on the Big Island (I’m sure you are), then check out our Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary . With five fully planned excursion days around the island, you won’t run out of things to do or where to eat.

I'm the co-founder, with my husband Jordan, of The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We have lived on Maui and Oahu and continue to travel, experience, and learn about the Hawaiian Islands. We travel with our kids, Henry and Edith. I am a planner! I love to plan trips from the mainland and island-hopping adventures, excursion days, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time in Hawai'i on a SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!

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Fresh vanilla luncheon & guided vineyard tour.

Vanilla Culinary Tasting + Farm Tour

Visit our farm,  we offer 3 unique tour experiences.

Vanilla Experience Luncheon & Farm Tour

12:30 PM. Monday – Friday

Book Your Tour Now

Our Vanilla Luncheon offers a vanilla inspired meal featuring gourmet recipes developed in our Vanilla kitchen. Beginning at our mill site, lunch is served first, followed by a Vanilla 101 presentation.

Hawaiian Vanilla Luncheon Experience Menu:

Choice of Vanilla Lemonade, Vanilla Ice Tea or a combination of them both called a "Jimmy Boy"

An "amuse" of garam masala shrimp cooked in vanilla butter served on a crostini with our vanilla pineapple chutney.

Vanilla Bourbon Marinated Chicken Breast on a Vanilla Sweet Bread Bun. Topped with caramelized onions and Vanilla Mango Chutney Aioli.

Your salad is topped with a Vanilla Raspberry Balsamic Dressing, Vanilla Honey Peppered Pecans and feta cheese. Your potatoes are baked in a Vanilla Southwest Rub.

Finally Hawaiian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for dessert. Complimentary coffee service included.

Adult: $89.50 Per-Person

Child: $55 Per-Child

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a light windbreaker or sweater. During the rainy season (Nov-Apr), bring a rain jacket or umbrella.

Gallery & Gift Shop Open Mondays through Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.

Advance reservation required due to limited seating.

Still have questions? Give us a call at (808) 776-1771

Vanilla Culinary Tasting + Farm Tour (NEW)

Book Culinary Tasting + Farm Tour Now

    Book online now!

• Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10am
• $65.00 per person

Join us for the return of the Hawaiian Vanilla Tasting Tour, and explore all of the unique flavors and fragrances of this delectable spice. This tour will teach you how to cook with Vanilla, as well as understand how it works in food and how to properly utilize its flavor characteristics.

You'll learn the difference between savory and sweet applications for Vanilla, as well as explore its use in a variety of dishes. After the Culinary Tasting presentation and sampling, you will be taken on a Farm Tour of our Hawaiian Vanilla Vineyard. Here you'll get a firsthand look at how this valuable crop is grown and harvested, and gain an in-depth knowledge of the Hawaiian Vanilla industry. Join us for a truly unique culinary experience that will leave your tastebuds tantalized!

Wear comfortable walking shoes and in cooler months bring a light windbreaker or sweater.

Want to get a Gift Certificate for this Tour? Click Here

Vanilla Experience Farm Tour Only

Book Farm Tour Now

  Book online now!

• Monday thru Saturdays at 1pm
• $41.50 per person

Price includes a welcome beverage of Vanilla Lemonade or Vanilla Ice Tea, the Vanilla Presentation, dessert and tour of the farm.

Gallery & Gift Shop are open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 3pm.

Advance reservation re commended   due to limited seating.

Our Gift shop and Sweet Shop are open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 2 pm. Enjoy a beautiful scenic drive to pick up your vanilla essentials!

Sweet Shop Menu

Open Monday through Saturday, 10am-3pm

Our sweet shop menu regulars include our world famous Bread Pudding, delicious fudge Brownies, Hawaiian Vanilla Ice Cream, Milkshakes and a selection of drinks. Join us for some refreshment up here in beautiful Paauilo!

From the Kohala Coast Resorts / Kona

Drive time from the Kohala Coast – 1 Hour, Kona 1 1/2 Hours

Drive northeast to Waimea taking Highway 19 east through town towards Honoka’a, noticing the mile markers on the side of the road. Turn right after mile marker 37 onto Pohakea Road. Climb three miles staying to your right . We are the bright yellow building on the left.

Directions From Hilo:

Drive time from Hilo – 45 Minutes:

Take Highway 19 North towards Honokaa noticing the mile markers on the side of the road. Just past mile marker #36, slow down and make a sharp left onto Pohakea Road.

Directions From Pohakea Road:

Follow Pohakea Road for about 3 miles, then bear right at the first junction. You are now on Paauilo Mauka Road. Travel through a small grove of trees, then cross over the bridge and drive past the Shell gas pump. The bright yellow Vanilla Mill is located another 100 yards further on your left.

Free Farm Tours

See the Baumkuchen farm where we grow our vanilla, learn about German-Hawaiian friendship, and enjoy the history of Baumkuchen.

Free farm tours every

Tuesday at 1 pm and every Friday at 11 am

Tours last about 30 minutes .

The tour starts at our pavilion and after an introduction we walk to our mangosteen trees and to our vanilla. The tour ends at our visitor center / farm shop.

Tours walk over unpaved, uneven terrain, with mild upslope and downslope.

Baumkuchen is available for sampling both before and after the tour.

If your group is over 15 people, please contact us to arrange a Private Group Tour.

No reservations are required for the free farm tour. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your desired tour time.

Dates and times see below.

April Farm Tours

• Tuesday, April 2, 1pm
• Friday, April 5, 11am
• Tuesday, April 9, 1pm
• Friday, April 12, 11am
• Tuesday, April 16, 1pm
• Friday, April 19, 11am
• Tuesday, April 23, 1pm
• Friday, April 26, 11am
• Tuesday, April 30, 1pm

May Farm Tours

• Friday, May 3, 11am
• Tuesday, May 7, 1pm
• Friday, May 10, 11am
• Tuesday, May 14, 1pm
• Friday, May 17, 11am
• Tuesday, May 21, 1pm
• Friday, May 24, 11am
• Tuesday, May 28, 1pm
• Friday, May 31, 11am

June Farm Tours

• Tuesday, June 4, 1pm
• Friday, June 7, 11am
• Tuesday, June 11, 1pm
• Friday, June 14, 11am
• Tuesday, June 18, 1pm
• Friday, June 21, 11am
• Tuesday, June 25, 1pm
• Friday, June 28, 11am NO FARM TOUR

July Farm Tours

• Tuesday, July 2, 1pm
• Friday, July 5, 11am
• Tuesday, July 9, 1pm
• Friday, July 12, 11am
• Tuesday, July 16, 1pm
• Friday, July 19, 11am
• Tuesday, July 23, 1pm
• Friday, July 26, 11am
• Tuesday, July 30, 1pm

Baking Days

If you come on

Thursdays between 9 am and 12 pm ,

you will have a good chance to see our Baumkuchen oven in action.

Baumstriezel Baking

Bake a Baumstriezel (the granddaddy of Baumkuchen) over an open campfire.

Even if it rains, our pavilion provides enough shelter. We prepared the dough, cut into strips, and you wrap the dough around a wooden stick, brush it with butter and cinnamon sugar and bake the cake over the beautiful campfire.

Finally, the most important thing: Enjoy your warm Baumstriezel right away with our delicious homemade chocolate sauce.

Every Tuesday at 2:30pm and Wednesday at 10:30am. By reservation only.

Book here: Baumstriezel Baking: Tuesdays at 2:30pm or Wednesdays, 10:30am

You need another date? Contact us here

Prepayment per person $55. The event will only take place if at least 6 people have booked. Maximum of 15 people.

Seeking Growers of Knowledge, Spirit, and Produce.

Join us for a farm tour, experience a privately-guided tour that includes fresh fruit tasting.

The gardens contain over 200 unique species of edible and medicinal plants including: Coffee, Banana, Papaya, Cassava, Taro, Ginger, Turmeric, Cacao, Avocado, Breadfruit, Coconut, Sugar Can, Sweet Potatoes, Kukui, Ti (KI), and a wide variety of Bamboos just to name a few.

Our seasonal ram macadamia nuts are now available for purchase!

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Visit Our Salt Farm

Tour the only Salt Farm on Hawaii Island!

Featured on Guy Fieri's new series: "Guy Hawaiian Style" we are located on 7 acres of oceanfront space on Kona Keahole Point and hand harvest Hawaiian Salt from pristine deep ocean waters, 2,200 feet below the surface of the Kona Sea. You will learn about the salt harvesting process and the different kinds of salt variations, how deep seawater is different from surface water, the significance of salt in Hawaiian culture and a brief historical overview of the ancient Hawaiian settlement Ho’ona. Lastly, you will get a chance to taste some of our Kona Pure and Flavored Salts.

On our Farm Tour, you will learn about:

History & Culture

• Brief overview and history of our site and of The Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park • Historical and cultural significance of our farm location • Why our location is so important to the quality of our salt • What makes deep ocean water different, and how our salt differs from others

Salt Making Process & TAsting

• Salt Production and variables • Salt harvesting process: dehydration, harvest, draining of Deep Ocean Minerals and uses for that product, resting time • Overview of different types of salt • Complimentary salt tasting including our pure, flavored and smoked salts with fruits and vegetables

DEEP OCEAN WATER FOOT SOAK

Join us for a refreshing 20 minute Deep Ocean Cold Water Foot Soak in our ocean view Cabana. Located on the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park, we access running Deep Ocean Water that is rich in Magnesium. Cold Water Foot Soaks are refreshing, relaxing, ease pain and swelling and are great for workout recovery.

Salt Farm Store

If you are on Hawaii Island, visit our Salt Farm Store and taste some of our Pure Kona Sea Salt and Flavored Salts! Build your own salt gift set with your favorites all while enjoying our beautiful oceanfront setting. We also have our Deep Ocean Magnesium Sparkling Mineral Water to taste and our AstaFactor Astaxanthin Supplement.

Store Hours: Open daily from 9am-4pm

Address: 73-907 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

Book a Farm Tour

Reserve your farm tour online today.

SALT FARM TOURS

Take a tour of our oceanfront salt farm featured on Guy Fieri's newest series "Guy: Hawaiian Style" and learn about how our salt is made and hand harvested.

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Hawaiian B Natural Farms

Aloha Hibiscus

Our personalized hibiscus farm tour is set on the Big Island, just outside of Honoka'a Hawaii.  Join the owners of our small family farm and discover fascinating insights about hibiscus cultivation and hydroponic farming. During the tour, learn the uniqueness of each type of hibiscus plants we cultivate and the difference between ornamental hibiscus and culinary hibiscus.  While you view and enjoy the tour, experience several samples of hibiscus products handmade on-site. 

Farm Highlights

During the tour of our farm, we discuss the history of agriculture of Hawaii and the production of our hibiscus products. We visit the outside demonstration garden to look at the different plant varieties and flowers. The tour continues with a visit to our hydroponic greenhouse production area. We conclude with a guided tasting of our amazing hibiscus flowers, preserves and teas. 

A Closer Look

Take a look at some of the highlights from our tours and see why our Hibiscus Farm Experience  is a must-visit destination on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hawaii Farm Tours

So you’ve finally decided to take that long-awaited vacation to Hawaiʻi, and you’re looking to make memories that will last a lifetime while escaping to these tropical isles. Why not take a day or two and buck the trend, eschewing the flocks of tourists traveling to Waikiki Beach and the cities in droves, and opt for an alternative (yet equally rewarding) excursion?

Each unique, educational and absolutely enjoyable, a Hawaiʻi farm tour allows you and your loved ones to experience the islands from the ground up (literally!) Whether you are on Oʻahu, Big Island, Maui or Kauai, there is an eco adventure sprouting up right in your area.

Farm Tours on Oʻahu

A wealth of farm tour opportunities await on Oʻahu, where you can actually visit a working cattle ranch on the Kualoa Ranch Fishpond and Garden Tour—which features tropical flower fields, fruit orchards, and an ancient Hawaiian fishpond. Take an up-close ganger at the innards of a family farm and organic cafe at Kahuku Farms, and even peek inside what it takes for production at an actual pineapple plantation at the North Shore’s famed Dole Plantation !

See Oahu Farm Tours

Farm Tours on Maui

Farm tours on the island of Maui include awesome adventures as well, such as a lavender and protea flower farm tour at Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm near Kula , a pineapple plantation tour in Kapalua where one can view pineapples actually being harvested and learn about the fruit’s growing cycle, and a narrated tropical plantation tour that takes place on a tram amid a ripening island harvest of growing papaya, guava, mango, macadamia nuts, coffee, bananas, and more. Adults will adore touring a winery as well as distilleries while on Maui, and the “kids” will especially appreciate a farm tour at Surfing Goat Dairy near Kula, where firsthand experiences at evening chores and milking make for unforgettable memories!

Farm Tours on the Big Island

On the Big Island, you can tour coffee, chocolate, honey and vanilla farms, as well as a volcano winery. Imagine stopping by Hawaii Vanilla Company for a vanilla tasting, a Vanilla Experience Luncheon, and an Upcountry Tea Brunch, or heading over to Hilo Coffee Mill’s 24-acre farm for a sight of coffee being roasted and all the coffee products being packaged (you even get a chance to sample some of the javahhhhhh as well). Sweet times are also assured when stopping by Volcano Island Honey Farms (just be sure to call ahead here for reservations).

See Big Island Farm Tours

Farm Tours on Kauaʻi

The fun keeps coming on Kauaʻi, with farm tours including a sugar plantation (Gay & Robinson Sugar Plantation), a step back in time to peruse restored structures of the George Wilcox Plantation, and even hop onto some exciting carriage and train rides while visiting the Kilohana Plantation . Whichever option you choose, it’s a sure bet that the good times will just keep growing.

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Traveler's photos.

Latest reviews of Farm Tours

Great tour.

The tour was very well organized and very well planned. I felt I saw so much and learned a lot about the culture and history of the island. Jim was full of interesting information and made the trip memorable Fun group. ... more

Great Great Great tour even better guide and hospitality.

Incredible tour but our Tour guide, Anson really brought the island and the tour to life. Honestly enjoyed the tour to the max but we would pay to just hang out with Anson again. Lol. I'm sure all the guides are grea ... more t and extremely courteous. All the jokes we made he would rebuttal and be involved all while still maintaining his poise and professionalism. It's the little things guys and this tour has it all. Thank you From the bottom of our hearts.

Wonderful Tour

We had a lot of fun on the tour Ridge was amazing and gave us a lot of good local history and knowledge. If he didn't know the answer to a question he found it out for us. We'd highly recommend this tour to anybody looki ... more ng for a great day on the island.

Horse was excellent

The horse ride event was excellent the trail guides were super great Katani and Shelyn We enjoyed our ride they knew their horses really well and they knew everything about the horses was going do great views of the H ... more amakua coast Everyone was so friendly we can’t wait to come back and have the same guides Pizza hits the spot after a while of horse riding As far as the chocolate making was disappointing we didn’t get to see any of the process of making it And only had a tiny sample that we had shared among our group a tiny inch square among 3 people

Amazing experience with an exceptional staff!

Would absolutely recommend to other and we will both be back! The ranch is beautiful; nestled on the hillside overlooking the ocean. We arrived a bit early and were greeted in the parking lot by Brooklyn. While they were ... more finishing up, we were invited to explore the ranch. We opted to help out with grooming of the horses. The ranch house is beautifully open with a few friendly cats lounging around soaking up the Aloha. Brooklyn and Kuiana matched our experience and personalities with 2 horses (Wonder and Jack) and gave us a refresher before we headed off on the trail. The trail was a breathtaking walk/trot through eucalyptus trees, hills and views of Hamaku coastline. Brooklyn and Kuiana engaged us in conversation the entire time and made sure that we were both having fun and were comfortable. The clouds moved in at the beginning of our ride, so we both had warmer clothes on, but were able to shed a layer as soon as they passed and stow extra clothes and water in our saddle pockets. We finished the ride and were served wood-fired pizza! We ended with a tour of the farm plants/crops and fresh chocolate tasting. It was a memorable time that we will treasure!

Loved Every Minute!!

I enjoyed everything about this experience! The ride to the farm was both scenic and calming. I really liked seeing the other side of The Big Island on my way there. Upon arriving and stepping out of the car, I was greet ... more ed with an amazing view of the ocean from the top of a hill. I also thought I was the first to arrive for the ride, but soon learned that I was the only rider for the 1:00 ride. My daughter was unable to join me, as previously planned, but I decided to attend anyway. They were so happy to have me, extremely welcoming and accommodating to take me out by myself. They gave me my choice of horse, and allowed me to decide if we would ride first, or have the wood- fired pizza for lunch before setting out on the trail. I chose to ride first, as this was what I had been looking forward to for weeks! My beautiful horse was Rain, and she was lovely. The ride was wonderful as we made our way through the eucalyptus forest. I was accompanied by two guides who were very knowledgeable of horses, of course, but also the trees, plants, and Hawaiian history of the farm and the Big Island. When we returned from a wonderfully enjoyable trail ride, my hand made garden pizza was hot and ready. I also learned how they make their artisan chocolate, participated in a small step of the process and received samples of the cocoa nibs and the finished chocolate! I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting The Big Island who is looking for a relaxing and beautiful way to spend several hours in nature with beautiful animals, and a wonderful, friendly and easygoing staff!!

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Big Island’s Macadamia Nut Farms: A Tour Guide

Macadamia nut farms are essential in Hawaii’s Big Island’s verdant landscape and unique culture. Originally from Australia, macadamia trees found their new home in the fertile volcanic soil of Hawaii in the late 19th century. Over time, these rich, delicious nuts have become synonymous with Hawaii’s flavor, significantly contributing to the local economy and enhancing the island’s appeal to visitors. This post offers a comprehensive guide to macadamia nut farms on the Big Island, from understanding the significance of this unique nut to exploring some of the top macadamia nut farms that welcome visitors.

Understanding The Macadamia Nut  

The macadamia nut, with its creamy taste and high nutritional value, is native to Australia. It was introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s and quickly became a significant crop due to Hawaii’s ideal growing conditions. With a cultivation process that takes years before the first harvest, these trees are a testament to patience and care. Today, Hawaii is one of the world’s leading producers of macadamia nuts, which have become an integral part of the island’s agricultural economy and cultural identity.

Moreover, the macadamia nut is renowned for its rich buttery taste and its health benefits. These nuts are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals. Unique features such as the nut’s hard shell and the process of dry roasting also contribute to its distinct flavor and texture, making it a beloved ingredient in savory dishes and sweet treats.

Macadamia Nut Farming Process  

The farming process of macadamia nuts is a tale of time and patience. It begins with planting seedlings, which takes five to twelve years to produce the first harvest. These trees, once mature, can produce nuts for up to 100 years, making them a long-term investment for farmers. The harvest usually takes place from August to March, during which the nuts are picked from the ground rather than the tree, as they fall naturally when ripe.

Hawaii’s tropical climate and volcanic soil create the perfect conditions for macadamia trees to thrive. The trees require well-drained soil and a steady supply of rainfall, which the Big Island readily provides. Moreover, the local farming community strongly emphasizes sustainable farming practices. From utilizing solar energy to ensuring efficient water use, these farms continue to innovate to reduce their ecological footprint while producing high-quality nuts.

Top Macadamia Nut Farms On Big Island  

Big Island boasts several renowned macadamia nut farms that produce some of the finest nuts and welcome visitors for a unique farm-to-table experience. Each farm has its specialties and attractions, adding to the diversity of the island’s macadamia nut farm touring experience.

One of the most prominent names is the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, with a history dating back to 1949 and an expansive orchard that impresses every visitor. On the other hand, the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, known for its commitment to sustainability and quality, offers a delightful range of flavored macadamia nuts. Ahualoa Farms presents a smaller-scale, intimate farm experience for those interested in organic farming. These, along with other farms, offer a variety of touring experiences to cater to the different interests of visitors.

Guided Tour Of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation  

The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation is arguably the most famous macadamia nut farm on Big Island. With its sprawling plantation and rich history dating back to 1949, the corporation has carved a niche in the global macadamia industry. Visitors can enjoy a walk around the plantation, which offers an insight into the scale of macadamia nut production and a glimpse of the majestic Mauna Loa volcano in the backdrop.

The guided tour also includes a visit to the processing factory, where visitors can observe the fascinating journey of the nut from the tree to the packet. The experience concludes with a tasting session, where one can savor the different flavors of Mauna Loa’s macadamia nuts. The variety will surely delight every palate, from salted and roasted to honey-roasted or even covered in chocolate.

Exploring Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company  

The Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company offers a unique farm experience with a strong focus on sustainability. This company prides itself on its 100% Hawaiian-grown macadamia nuts; a visit here is a testament to its commitment to quality. The farm tour provides an in-depth look at how they cultivate and process their nuts, all while employing environmentally-friendly farming practices.

In addition to the farm tour, Hamakua offers a product range that stands out for its innovative flavors. From wasabi-flavored to Kona coffee-glazed macadamia nuts, the variety of products reflects the fusion of Hawaiian tastes with the versatile macadamia nut. A visit to Hamakua is incomplete without a stop at their gift shop, where visitors can buy these unique flavors to bring a piece of Hawaii back home.

The Unique Appeal Of Ahualoa Farms  

For those who appreciate organic farming and small-scale operations, Ahualoa Farms is the place to visit. Nestled in the beautiful Hamakua Coast, this farm cultivates its macadamia nuts without pesticides or herbicides. The farm offers intimate tours, where visitors can learn about organic farming practices and the dedicated process that goes into each nut.

The charm of Ahualoa lies not just in its organic farming practices but also in its community connection. The farm sources its other ingredients from local growers, fostering a sense of community and contributing to the local economy. The result is a range of organic macadamia nut products that showcase the best of Big Island’s local produce.

A Taste Of Hawaii: Macadamia Nut Products And Dishes

Macadamia nuts lend their rich, buttery flavor to various products and dishes. From the iconic macadamia nut chocolate to macadamia nut oil, butter, and even macadamia nut-infused coffee, the options are plentiful. These products make excellent gifts and souvenirs, bringing visitors home a taste of Hawaii.

In addition to products, macadamia nuts also feature in many traditional Hawaiian dishes. For instance, the famous Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi is a delightful dish where the nutty crust perfectly complements the succulent fish. Restaurants and food stalls across Big Island offer an array of such macadamia nut-based dishes, allowing visitors to enjoy the local cuisine in its authentic form.

Tips For Planning Your Macadamia Nut Farm Tour  

Consider the time of year when planning your macadamia nut farm tour on Big Island. While macadamia trees produce nuts year-round, the main harvest season from August to March offers the most activity. Pre-booking might be necessary for some farms, especially for larger groups, so checking with the farms in advance is always a good idea.

Consider also planning for other attractions nearby. Many farms are close to other places of interest, such as national parks or coffee plantations. Combining these visits can make for a more fulfilling experience. Lastly, leave space in your suitcase for the wonderful macadamia products you want to bring home!

The Bottom Line

Experiencing the macadamia nut farms on Big Island is more than just a fun day out; it’s a journey into the heart of Hawaii’s agricultural heritage, a testament to its sustainable future, and a celebration of its unique flavors. From understanding the cultivation process of this remarkable nut to tasting the diverse products it influences, each farm visit tells a story of its own.

Whether you choose to explore the vast orchards of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, delve into the sustainable practices at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, or discover the organic charm of Ahualoa Farms, your journey will be filled with enchanting sights, delightful flavors, and memorable encounters. So next time you find yourself on Big Island, don’t forget to venture beyond the pristine beaches and breathtaking volcanoes. Let the trail of the macadamia nut guide you through an experience that truly encapsulates the spirit of Hawaii.

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How to Tour a Big Island Macadamia Nut Factory

Are you looking for the best things to do in waikoloa, hawaii keep scrolling to see how to tour the hamakua big island macadamia nut factory, which is a top kona activity., this guide to visiting a big island macadamia nut factory was written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

If you’re looking for  things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii with kids , then this is one activity you won’t want to miss.

The  Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory  is a hidden gem on the Big Island. Here, they offer free macadamia nut tastings, an informative video presentation, as well as show windows where you can see a working macadamia nut factory.

This is one of the coolest free things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Plus, they have an incredible store with all kinds of macadamia nut products and even island-made ice cream!

You will be able to tour a real macadamia nut farm Big Island offers just minutes from Waikoloa Resorts and get some of the best macadamia nuts in Hawaii! It doesn’t get much better than that!

Their prices are very reasonable, so don’t forget about them when it comes time to go  souvenir  shopping either…you’ll be glad you did! Oh yeah…and there are always FREE samples too!!

Keep scrolling to read my full guide to visiting a Big Island macadamia nut factory in Hawaii!

Don’t have time to read many Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting the Big Island.

Popular Big Island Tours/Activities

• Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour (you can ONLY do this on the Big Island)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour (this is the BEST way to see lava if you aren’t renting a car)
• Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour (this is a cool adventure for teens and adults)
• Swim with Dolphins (this is a unique experience for kids of all ages and adults)
• Kona ATV Tour (we love this one because they also do cultural activities)
• Book a Photo Shoot (this is a Hawaii souvenir you’ll treasure forever)

Favorite Big Island Resorts/Hotels

• Hilton Waikoloa Village (this is a mega resort where you can swim with dolphins or just enjoy their massive pool area)
• Courtyard by Marriott’s King Kamehameha Beach Hotel (this is a moderately-priced Kona hotel right on a little lagoon)
• Fairmont Orchid (this is a swanky resort with an awesome pool area and beach)

Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii? One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Where is the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory?

The Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory is located about 50 minutes north of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The address is  61-3251 Maluokalani St. Kawaihae, Hawaii 96743 .

I recommend using GPS to find it as it’s tucked away from the highway. Their sign by the road is also pretty faded, so it’s easy to miss.

What’s the History Behind Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company?

The Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company was founded in 1993. They use 100% locally grown Hawaiian macadamia nuts in their products.

This company is part of the Edmund C. Olson Trust II, which owns more than 1300 acres of macadamia nut farms. They have a focus on sustainability and conservation.

How to Visit this Big Island Macadamia Nut Factory

It’s pretty awesome that there’s a Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory Visitor’s Center that is open to the public.

You can enjoy the visitor center and go on a Big Island macadamia nut tour with this incredible Hawaiian macadamia nut company.

Free Hawaiian Macadamia Nuts Tasting

As soon as we entered, Danette warmly welcomed us and ushered us over to the macadamia nut-tasting area. We got to try SO many yummy flavors like buttered rum, soy sauce, pumpkin pie, and more.

She put each nut into a little cup so it was easy for us to taste them. My 5-year-old loved the seasonal flavors (specifically the pumpkin pie one). I preferred the chili pepper ones because they had a little kick!

How to Crack a Macadamia Nut Activity

Right near the entrance, there are a couple of metal nutcrackers where people can try to crack their own macadamia nuts. It’s a fun activity, and my 5-year-old was able to do this easily.

Just remember not to actually eat the nuts. It’s a liability issue.

Self-Guided Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory Tour

One of the highlights of visiting the Hamakua Macadamia Factory is getting to see the process of getting the products out on shelves. They have large showroom windows with labels, so you know what step of the process they are working on.

When we were there, they were adding labels to the cans of Hawaii macadamia nuts as well as the lids. My son watched this for about 10 minutes. The workers were so friendly and kept showing him exactly what they were doing.

It made this macadamia nut tour Big Island offers kid-friendly and quite amazing.

Hamakua Macadamia Nut Farm Video

After you watch the workers in the assembly line, you can sit down for a few moments and watch an informative video that shows the Hamakua Mac Nut farm.

The video is a little outdated, but the information is all really great, and we learned a LOT about macadamia nuts and how to tell if it’s ready to eat.

Hamakua Gift Shop

They have a really impressive gift shop filled with their own Hamakua macadamia nut items as well as other local Big Island products.

This is a great place to stock up on Big Island souvenirs to bring home to friends or family. We ended up buying extra Hawaiian nuts just to have on hand for the holiday season.

You’ll find anything from Hawaiian macadamia nut cookies, Kona Coffee, chocolates galore, and so much more.

Hawaii Macadamia Nuts FAQs

Nope. In fact, they are actually from Australia. The macadamia nut tree was brought to the Big Island in 1881 by William Purvis, a sugar cane plantation manager. Hawaii’s climate is perfect for growing the nut, and Hawaii is currently the #3 macadamia nut producer in the world, with various macadamia nut farms in Hawaii.

A scientist named John Macadam first classified the macadamia tree in the mid-1800s in Melbourne, Australia.

They work with more than 200 local Hawaii macadamia nut farms to get all the nuts they use in their products.

Yes, you will find some macadamia farms on Hawaii’s Big Island. The Mauna Loa macadamia nut factory is one of the biggest macadamia nut factories Hilo offers, while Hamakua is one macadamia nut farm close to Kona.

Macadamia nuts are generally good for you. They provide you with protein, fiber, antioxidants, and so much more. Flavored macadamia nuts, especially chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, aren’t as healthy but still a decent snack to enjoy.

Yes, they are tree nuts, as there are tons of macadamia trees all over the Big Island’s land. You can go on a Big Island macadamia nut tour to learn the macadamia nut history, see the trees, and get some free samples too!

Hamakua Macadamia Nut Farm Wrap Up

We thought the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory was a really fun stop on our drive around the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s a pretty short drive from Waikoloa and is one of the best macadamia nut factory Big Island offers.

If you’re heading back to Kona with kids, take the road leading up to Waimea. They have a really awesome playground where kids can get some wiggles out. Plus, the weather is much cooler up there if you need a break from the heat.

These Big Island macadamia nut farm tours are worth it for the entire family! From the free samples to the self-guided tour, this macadamia plantation is awesome! If you want a macadamia nut farm tour on the Big Island, Hamakua does not disappoint!

Looking for more things to do near Kona Hawaii? Find out  how to swim with dolphins in Kona ,  Aloha Adventure Farm ATV tour review ,  Hawaii Keiki Museum review ,  Voyagers of the Pacific Luau review , and how to visit the Painted Church in Hawaii.

The Ultimate Big Island Hawaii Itinerary for 2 Days

Are you wondering how to spend the perfect two days on the Big Island? You’re in the right place. 

I have been to the Big Island 3 times now, and recently spent 10 days exploring the island. The Big Island has beautiful white and black sand beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, farms, historical sites, and much more.

Although I recommend spending at least 5 days exploring the Big Island, you can still create lifelong memories on a 2 day trip.

So, which places are worth visiting? And what can you see in just 2 days?

To help you plan a memorable trip with limited time on the island, I’ve put together a suggested 2 day Big Island itinerary. If you want to fill your days with adventure and see the top sites, this is the itinerary for you. 

2 Day Big Island Itinerary At A Glance (Kona)

• Day 1: Kona coffee farm, Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, beaches, night time manta ray snorkeling 
• Day 2: Punalu’u bakery, Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kona Inn Shopping Village

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

2 Day Big Island Itinerary: Starting in Kona

Day 1: kona, kona coffee farm tour.

To start your first day on the island, head to a coffee farm for a free tour. Kona coffee is loved around the world for its bold flavor, and there are over 600 coffee farms in Kona alone! Many of these farms offer free tours, including Greenwell Farms and Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation. 

We stopped by Greenwell Farms for their free coffee tour, which they have daily from 9am-3pm. This is a 1-hour tour where you’ll get to walk through their farm, and learn about their coffee cultivation process. We got to sample peppercorn off of a tree, and enjoy free coffee and sea salt samples at the end of the tour. 

If you want a more in-depth tour, they also offer a Deluxe Tour & Tasting starting at $39.95. The paid tour includes a tour of their coffee mills, and a cupping session where you’ll get to learn how professionals evaluate the quality of coffee. 

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

After touring a coffee farm, head to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. The park’s name translates to “Place of Refuge”, since it historically served as a sanctuary for ancient Hawaiians. 

This is an excellent place to learn about Hawaiian culture and history, and it’s open daily until sunset. It costs $20 per vehicle or $10 to enter the park. Once you arrive, you can stop at the visitor center to watch a short film and pick up a map of the park. The park’s right by the ocean, and the grounds are surrounded by fascinating ancient structures. 

Beaches in Kona

No trip to the Big Island would be complete without relaxing on Kona’s white sand beaches. There’s dozens of amazing beaches, but we spent most of our time at Magic Sands Beach, Hapuna Beach, and Spencer Beach Park. 

Magic Sands Beach is a popular white sand beach that gets its nickname “Magic Sands” because the tide pulls in the sand, making most of the beach disappear on high tide days. If you visit during the summer, this is an excellent beach for swimming or boogie boarding. It has restrooms, picnic areas, and free parking. 

However, Hapuna Beach was by far the most beautiful beach we visited in Kona. It has a long stretch of soft white sand, crystal clear waters, picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. 

This is the perfect place to set up a picnic on the beach, or go to watch the sunset. It costs $10 for parking, and $5 per person to enter the park. 

If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach, head to Spencer Beach Park in North Kona.

It has a sandy beach with gentle waters, picnic areas, restrooms, showers, and campgrounds. It’s free to visit and has plenty of free parking. 

But if you want to snorkel, Kahalu’u Beach Park is the place to go. This white sand beach has gentle, crystal clear waters filled with bright coral, tropical fish and sea turtles. The parking fee costs $12 for four hours, and it has restrooms, picnic areas, and showers. 

Night Time Manta Ray Snorkeling

As the sun starts to set, head down to Honokohau harbor to go night time manta ray snorkeling.

Night time manta ray snorkeling are one of the most unique activities to experience while on the Big Island. You’ll get to go on a short cruise out to a manta ray feeding site, and use lightboards to attract plankton. 

Since the manta rays feed on plankton, you’ll get within inches from huge manta rays. The tours begin after 7pm, and they provide all snorkeling equipment. 

Sunset Cruise To Kealeakeau Bay

For those afraid of swimming in the dark, a great alternative activity is to go on a sunset cruise to Kealeakeau Bay. Kealeakeau Bay is a deep sheltered water bay that’s only accessible by boat or hiking a nearly 4 mile trail. 

Kealeakeau Bay, Captain Cook HI

It has an incredible diversity of marine life, and is a resting site for spinner dolphins. If you go on an evening snorkeling tour, you’ll have a great chance of spotting dolphins, whales, and other marine life. 

It’s also home to the Captain Cook Monument, which marks the site where the first westerner that discovered the Big Island ( Captain James Cook ) was killed in 1779. On a snorkeling cruise, you’ll get to enjoy live music and drinks while learning all about the site’s historical significance. 

Day 2: Kona to Volcanoes National Park

Kīlauea Overlook, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must see place for anyone visiting the Big Island. It’s home to the world’s largest shield volcano (Mauna Loa), and one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kīlauea). Although most people recommend exploring the park for 2 days, you can see most of the top sites on a day trip. 

Punalu’u bakery

On your way from Kona to the Volcanoes National Park, stop by Punalu’u bakery for breakfast. The Punalu’u bakery is the southernmost bakery in the United States, and famous for their malasadas, a delicious fluffy Hawaiian donut. They sell Hawaiian pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of flavored malasadas. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park. You’ll have to pay $30 per vehicle to enter the park for a 7-day pass. Once you arrive, I recommend stopping by the Kīlauea Visitor Center to pick up a park map, and learn about the different hikes available. You can also view a list of their day hikes on their website. 

You can also use find a self-guided driving tour here . 

In a day, we hiked Sulphur Banks Trail, part of Crater Rim Trail, and walked through the Thurston Lava Tube. 

Sulphur Banks Trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

We started hiking Sulphur Banks Trail, and crossed the street (Crater Rim Drive) to begin hiking Crater Rim Trail. Crater Rim Trail is an 11 mile trail that encircles the Kīlauea caldera, where you can see steam vents, and lava flows emerge from the summit. 

Crater Rim Trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Other popular things to do within the park are hiking the Kīlauea Iki trail, and driving Chain of Craters Road. The Kīlauea Iki trail is a 3.3 mile hike where you’ll get to walk over a solidified lava lake next to the summit of the Kīlauea volcano. 

Chain of Craters Road is a 19 mile road that leads down to the coast, passing by old lava flows, petroglyphs, volcanic craters, and a sea arch. Before we left the park, we walked through the Thurston Lava Tube.

This is a short 0.5 mile hike through a 500 year old lava tube that was one of the highlights of our visit. 

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

After a long day exploring the Volcanoes National Park, head to Punalu’u Beach. Punalu’u is a spectacular black sand beach, just a 20 minute drive from the park. 

The beach has fine black sand made of basalt, and is fringed with coconut palm trees. We spotted a few sea turtles on the shore when we visited. It’s free to visit, and it has picnic areas, restrooms, showers, and a small souvenir shop. 

Downtown Kona 

Before leaving the island, stop by Kona Inn Shopping Village in downtown Kona. This is a waterfront shopping village with small boutiques, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It’s a great place to enjoy a waterfront dinner during sunset and shop for Hawaiian gifts to bring home. 

More Things to Do in the Big Island Hawaii

See waterfalls in hilo.

If you want to visit the Big Islands waterfalls, you can do a road trip from Kona to Hilo on day two (instead of visiting the Volcanoes National Park). Hilo is a charming small town on the east side of the island that has a zoo, waterfalls, botanical gardens, beach parks, and more. It’s around a 1.5–2 hour drive from Kona, depending on the route you take. 

The quickest route from Kona to Hilo is Saddle Road, but the best route to maximize your time is taking highway 19 along the Hamakua coast (northern route). By traveling along the scenic Hamakua coast, you’ll get to pass by the Waipio Lookout, Akaka Falls, and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. 

Or, you can stop by Hilo after visiting the Volcanoes National Park to see Rainbow Falls. 

Then, you can take the quickest route (Saddle Road) to return to Kona, which is around a 1.5 hour drive. 

For more guidance on where to stay on the Big Island of #Hawaii, make sure to check out our article on Kona vs Hilo . 

Author Bio: Layla Pond of Layla’s Lens

Layla Pond is a solo female travel blogger and the creator of Layla’s Lens. She has traveled to 20 countries, 13 states, and is on a mission to see the rest of the world. As a California native, she also shares her favorite nature destinations in Southern California. 

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